Disposable breather mask



1958 E. AGUADO 2,848,994

DISPOSABLE BREATHER MASK Filed Nov. 7, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I N VE N TOR, EDWARD AGUADO a7 ATTORNEYS.

Aug. 26, 1958 Filed Nov. '7, 1955 E. AGUADO D-ISPOSABLE BREATHER MASK 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. EDWARD AGUADO ATTORNEYS United-States Patent DISPOSABLE BREATHER MASK Edward Aguado, St. Louis, Mo. Application November 7, 1955, Serial N 0. 545,382 2 Claims. (Cl. 128-146) The present invention relates to an improved disposable breather mask for administering oxygen or other gases to patients.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a breather mask which can be manufactured at a cost sufficiently low that it may be economically discarded and destroyed following initial usage, and yet which is superior in many important respects to all other masks of the same general class in current use.

.An object of my invention is to provide a mask of the character described which is extremely light in weight, which may be worn without discomfort to the patient, and which is formed of transparent material to enable the patients mouth and tongue to be observed without requiring removal of the mask.

An important object is achieved in the provision of novel constructional features that permit marginal portions of the mask to conform snugly and comfortably to the facial surfaces about the mouth and nose of the wearer in the formation of an effective air-seal at the zone of contact.

Yet another object is directed to the provision of such a mask embodying improved means for controlling the flow of gases to and from the mask, including a protected valve which functions to free the mask of exhaled gases and a valve for preventing exhaled gases from entering a low pressure supply reservoir, or breather bag.

The foregoing and other objectives and advantages will appear from the detailed description of a practical embodiment of my invention which follows, reference being made to the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front plan view of the mask adapted and arranged to receive a supply of gas delivered to the mask under pressure;

Fig. 2 is a side view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a plan view illustrating another form of the invention, and

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the mask shown in Fig. 5.

The mask of my invention comprises a hollow elongated shell which is arched both longitudinally and transversely as appears from Figs. 3 and 4. The mask is relatively broad near its lower end and tapers toward its upper end in general conformity to the shape of the facial area bordering the mouth and nose. The shell is preferably formed from transparent sheet plastic material, such as vinyl, having the desirable properties of toughness and flexibility, and which is non-toxic, non-absorbent and low in allergenic effects. The so-called suction molding process is well suited to the manufacture of these masks.

The mask shell has a front wall portion indicated generally at 5 which, with the adjoining portions of the side wall 6, is of a thickness to render those areas of the mask substantially rigid, such that the mask will retain its shape and resist deformation during normal 7 usage. In the form of mask illustrated the side walls are shown to be of tapering thickness, being relatively attenuated at the rim. The peripheral portions turn outwardly in the formation of a transversely curved flange 7 which presents a smooth rounded surface to the face of the wearer. Such flange is of relatively reduced wall thickness and is quite flexible without being limp. It is appropriately curved longitudinally to conform a proximately to average facial features, and is sufiiciently flexible so that it will mold itself to an individual face when the mask is applied and secured by provisions to be hereinafter described. Such provisions combine with the semi-flexible flange portion 7 to provide a comfortable air-sealing contact with the face.

The front wall 5 has a shallow circular recess or cavity 9 formed therein which is located at the apex, near the center of the shell. The wall portion 10 at the bottom of this cavity is flat and is provided with a central opening surrounded by a series of openings 11 which constitute exhaust ports. A circular valve disc 12 of sheet rubber or other suitable material is normally seated on wall portion 10, covering the ports 11 and sealing them against the inflow of air from outside the mask. The valve disc 12 is secured at its center by an outwardly projecting screw 13 on which is threaded a nut element 14. These fastening elements are preferably formed of molded plastic material. Element 14 is axially elongated as shown and projects an appreciable distance out of the cavity 9 and beyond the front surface of the mask proper. The element provides a post or stud to which is attached an elastic band 15 which is passed through a transverse aperture adjacent the enlarged head portion 16 of the element.

The mask is supplied with gas to be inhaled by the patient by a flexible tube 17 which is adapted to be connected to the mask by means of a nipple 18 that projects from the sloping portion 19 of the front wall, well spaced below the described exhaust valve. Supply nipple 18 is preferably formed of plastic and is press-fitted and cemented in place in a suitable aperture in the mask.

It will be understood that the mask is adapted to be attached to the face of the patient by means of the elastic band 15 which is extended about the head. The band thereby applies an inward force to the center of the mask which is transmitted through the relatively rigid frontal portion of the mask to the yieldable marginal flange, causing the flange to conform to the curves of the face. The protected location of the valve element assures that it will function without interference from the fastening cord, or from outside sources.

The mask heretofore described is adapted to be employed where the gas is to be supplied to the mask continuously at greater than atmospheric pressure. Another embodiment of my invention, illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 is intended to be used where it is desired to have the gas delivered to the mask at substantially atmospheric pressure pursuant to the demands of the patient. Such mask utilizes a shell structure identical to that heretofore described and it is equipped with an inlet nipple 20 larger than the nipple 18, preferably not less than A5 of an inch in internal diameter, and includes a valve for preventing exhaled gases from entering the supply duct or chamber. The nipple 20 is formed of molded plastic as an element separate from the shell member. The shell is provided with an opening to receive the nipple which is pressed in place from the inner side of the shell. Nipple 20 has a flange 21 at its inner end by which it is cemented to the margins of the shell opening in the formation of a tight joint. The recessed end face of the flange provides a seat for a valve element 22 which is centrally secured by fastener 23 to a nave portion of the nipple.

' 3 A gas supply hose of appropriate size may be connected directly to the nipple or to the nipple 25 of a breather bag 26 well known in the art, having a neck portion 27 connected -.to nipple 20.

It is to be understood-that the foregoing description and the accompanying drawing are presented by way of illustration and example, and that modifications of the construction herein shown and described may be made without departing from the spirit and full intendment of the invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. A mask of the character described comprising a longitudinally and transversely arched shell having an integral, semi-flexible peripheral flange, the shell being formed symmetrically about a longitudinal center line, and means on the shell forming a gas inlet passage, the front of the mask having a depressed, perforated wall portion located on said center line, a valve seating on the outer surface of the depressed wall portion, a valve mounting member located on said center line and projecting from the front of said shell outwardly of the depressed wall portion, and a head band secured to said mounting member.

2. A mask of the character described comprising a longitudinally and transversely arched shell formed of transparent plastic material, said shell having a semiflexible peripheral flange of reduced thickness as compared to the frontal part of the shell, said shell being formed symmetrically about a longitudinal center line, a centrally located portion of the shell being depressed in the formation of a shallow recess located on said center line, an opening in the bottom wall of said recess forming a discharge passage, a valve element seating against the outer surface of the bottom'wall of said recess, a mounting stud for said valve element located on said center line and projecting outwardly from said recess, means forming an inlet passage spaced below said valve recess, and an elastic head band secured to said mounting stud outwardly of said recess.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,202,877 Morgan Oct. 31, 1916 1,287,149 Walter et al. Dec. 10, 1918 2,378,929 Joyce June 26, 1945 2,505,173 Conley Apr. 25, 1950 2,675,803 Kaslow Apr. 20, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 20,673 Great'Britain June 29, 1905 

